We live in a capitalist world where money runs almost everything. Even in wealthy countries, millions of people are one unexpected bill away from crisis. If you can’t cover food, housing, or healthcare, life gets stressful fast. That’s why I believe anyone who wasn’t born wealthy should think not only about earning enough to survive, but also about what financial independence means to them and how to achieve it.
Even with a steady job, security isn’t guaranteed. The economy shifts, companies downsize, and health issues may arise. That’s why I am aiming for financial independence to live without constant money stress.
The truth is, most of us don’t get paid enough to comfortably cover all our needs, take a nice vacation once a year, and still have money left for the little things that make life enjoyable. For me, financial independence isn’t about being rich. It’s about having freedom, stability, and peace of mind.
The definition is a bit complex because I’ve just started my thirties, and I feel that my vision for financial independence might change over time. So, I keep it a little general to give myself space to grow. For now, I see financial independence as:
Having more than enough for my basic needs if I stop working for money
Of course, in practice, it’s more complex because our needs fluctuate, and life is unpredictable. But for me right now, the core idea is to stop living paycheck to paycheck and build wealth through saving and investing.
The goal is to achieve financial freedom by growing my savings and making smart investments so I can live life on my own terms. I like Ramit Sethi’s concept of a “rich life.” While I’m working toward financial freedom, I also want to live fully now to travel, spend time and money on the people and experiences that matter to me, and invest in the things that truly add value to my life.
What does financial freedom mean to you?
